Teen nightclub opens just in time for summer

Pool, dances offered at 'Footloose'

Photos by Linda Stewart/Special to the Times Record News
Jordyn Wilkinson and Dayton Bretz visit on one of the couches at Footloose Teen Night Club. The club will be open to middle school students Friday evenings and to high school students Saturday evenings.

Carissa and Weston Powell, owners of Footloose Teen Night Club, look over the sound system. A local disc jockey will provide music for dancing. The new teen club will be open Fridays and Saturdaysfrom 7-11 p.m.
Linda Stewart/Special to the Times Record News

Dayton Bretz shows off his skills at the pool table to Braden Davis (from left), Taylor Ford and Jordyn Wilkinson at Footloose Teen Night Club. The new club offers a safe place to visit, dance or shoot pool.

VERNON — Vernon teens have a new, safe place to visit, listen to music, or play games.

Weston and Carissa Powell opened the doors of Footloose Teen Night Club at 501 Wilbarger St. on Friday. The alcohol-free teen club will be open Fridays and Saturdaysfrom 7-11 p.m.

Friday nights are open to middle school students with Saturday nights reserved for high school students. Teens must be members to attend. Membership is free, but there is a $5 admission charge to attend.

"We have a teenager and one child in middle school and we are always hearing that there is nothing to do," owner Carissa Powell said. "We have always wanted to start our own business, so this seemed like a good thing to do."

"It will give kids something to do and keep them out of trouble," Weston Powell said.

The teen nightclub will feature local disc jockey Kiki McGee providing music for dancing. The club also has a pool table, snack bar, tables and couches.

The Powells said the opening has generated a lot of interest.

"The kids we have

talked to seem really excited," Carissa said.

The project has been a family project with the couple's children doing extra chores at home as well as helping get the new club ready.

The club is in a former plumbing supply building on east Wilbarger Street, using only part of the building's total space to allow room for future expansion projects.

"We completely remodeled it ourselves," Carissa said. It is the first time the couple has undertaken such an endeavor.

The couple said the facility also will be available for hosting birthday parties, baby showers or receptions.